Herts politicians observe minute silence for Hitchin's Judi Billing

At a North Herts Council meeting on Monday, December 19, and in County Hall on Tuesday, December 20, cross-party civic leaders shared their memories of working with the late Hitchin councillor.

Cllr Billing, who represented Hitchin Bearton on North Herts Council for 42 years and Hitchin North in County Hall for nine, died aged 71 on November 24 this year.

Cllr Judi Billing

Leading tributes in North Herts, council leader Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg (Lab, Hitchin Walsworth) said: “Judi was an absolute powerhouse of local government.

“She was a phenomenal woman who gave everything that she could to support communities and people that she invested in and cared about.

“Judi was probably my biggest supporter but also my harshest critic.”

Cllr Judi Billing MBE, who served on North Herts Council for 42 years, pictured with Sir Keir Starmer. Credit: LGA Labour

Cllr Dennis-Harburg added: “I remember when I first stood to be a councillor in 2015 – very green, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – at my panel interview, I explained I wanted to be a district councillor, then county councillor, and then I would be an MP.

“Judi stopped me and pulled me right back down to Earth.

“She told me … that the best thing you can do is to serve your community.

“I don’t think there was ever a better advocate for Hitchin and Bearton than Judi Billing.”

Cllr Morris Bright MBE (Con, Potters Bar West and Shenley), deputy leader of Hertfordshire County Council, recalled sharing a love of films, music and musicals with Cllr Billing.

He said: “When I was awarded an MBE, of which she was also a recipient, she said ‘Morris, do not let it change you’.”

Cllr Bright added: “I learned a lot from Judi – from what she said, how she said it, and what she did not say.”

Cllr Ian Albert (Lab) was one of Cllr Billing’s fellow Hitchin Bearton councillors at North Herts Council.

He said: “I proudly wear the council badge, her idea.

“I look forward to the Holocaust Memorial Day, which Judi did so much work towards this council commemorating each year.

“I sit really humbly as the chair of the Hitchin Committee, following in Judi’s footsteps, making sure I chair that in the cross-party way which Judi not just spoke about but acted upon.”

Cllr Albert added: “I aspire to be just a little bit of the councillor Judi was.

“I’m going to miss her hugely, and I continue to send my love and affection to Judi’s family at this really sad time.”

And Cllr Keith Hoskins (LD, Hitchin Highbury) said he and Cllr Billing were both “anoraks” on US politics, and recalled meeting up in New York on the day Donald Trump was elected president.

He said: “Knowledgeable, great, somebody approachable.

“Judi was a fantastic, amazing matriarch to her family of whom she was inordinately proud.

“Great public service of over 40 years.

“And she was a really good friend.”

When Cllr Billing died, she was responsible for community engagement in North Herts Council and was leader of the Labour Group at County Hall.

Cllr Nigel Bell (Lab, West Watford) served as Cllr Billing’s deputy on the county council and reflected on her work looking at the impact of Covid-19 on minority communities in Hertfordshire.

He said: “The Labour Party has lost a true champion.

“Across the council and the country, councillors of all parties have lost a trusted friend and mentor, setting the bar so very high for other councillors.”

Cllr Bell noted Cllr Judi Billing succeeded her late husband David when he died in 2013.

“What a double act they were,” he said.

The tributes at councils based in Letchworth and Hertford sit alongside similar statements made at national level.

Earlier this month in the House of Commons, Bim Afolami (Con), MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, said: “Judi Billing had served as a district councillor since 1980 and was an excellent public servant, and I wanted to make that point on the floor of the House.”

Sir Keir Starmer MP, leader of the Labour Party, said: “A councillor for over 40 years and committed to helping others, Judi’s service to the Labour Party and to local government was unparalleled.

“My thoughts are with Judi’s family and friends.”